10.1016/j.ejmech.2010.11.033
This research presents the synthesis and evaluation of a series of 2-hydroxyisoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione derivatives as potential inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase and reverse transcriptase RNase H domain. The purpose of the study was to develop new anti-HIV agents that could overcome the limitations of existing therapies, such as high costs, side effects, and drug resistance. The researchers introduced alkyl and arylalkyl groups at position 4 of the 2-hydroxyisoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione scaffold to investigate the influence of these substitutions on enzymatic inhibitory and antiviral activities. The chemicals used in the process included various alkyl and arylalkyl halides for alkylation, O-benzylhydroxylamine for cyclization, and boron tribromide or trichloride for deprotection. The study concluded that while all compounds showed poor inhibitory properties against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase RNase H, four compounds demonstrated low micromolar level inhibition of HIV-1 integrase. However, high cellular cytotoxicity limited their potential as antiviral agents. Despite this, the identified integrase inhibitors provided a good basis for the development of new antiviral hits. The study also included docking studies using crystallographic data to explain the improved integrase inhibitory activities of certain compounds.